Cain didn't bring up the controversial facility in a campaign rally on Thursday, but told reporters afterward that he's concerned about the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro.

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"It is an infringement and an abuse of our freedom of religion," he said. "And I don't agree with what's happening, because this isn't an innocent mosque."

The new mosque has been the subject of protests ...Opponents have used the hearings to argue that the mosque is part of a plot to expand Islamic extremism in the U.S. Cain appeared to agree.

"It is another example of why I believe in American laws and American courts," Cain said. "This is just another way to try to gradually sneak Shariah law into our laws, and I absolutely object to that."

The Murfreesboro mosque has been a political target before; in 2010, Tennessee congressional candidate Lou Ann Zelenik almost pulled off a GOP primary upset by campaigning heavily against the proposed facility. Cain's comments fall within a pattern of over-the-top remarks on Islam, which at this point have probably done him more harm than good as he seeks to regain his footing in the campaign.